herring

 
Pronunciation: /ˈhɛrɪŋ/

noun

  • a fairly small silvery fish which is most abundant in coastal waters and is of widespread commercial importance.
    • Clupea and other genera, family Clupeidae (the herring family): several species, in particular (C. harengus), of the North Atlantic. The herring family also includes the sprats, shads, and pilchards

Origin:

Old English hǣring, hēring, of West Germanic origin; related to Dutch haring and German Hering